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This article explores the applicability of mean length of utterance (MLU) as a language assessment measure for Georgian child language, as to-date, Georgian, a morphologically rich language with numerous inflectional categories, experiences an extensive lack of instruments for early language assessment. To this end, a set of guidelines for calculating Georgian MLU was developed based on the analysis of a longitudinal corpus of two Georgian-speaking children aged 12-35 months. This was supported by the findings of previous studies on Georgian acquisition. Furthermore, the guidelines were used to compare MLU in morphemes (MLU-m) with MLU in words (MLU-w) and MLU in syllables (MLU-s) to determine the most suitable method for assessing morphological development in Georgian. These results indicate that MLU-m closely aligns with the description of language development in Georgian children. MLU-s is useful for demonstrating early linguistic development, while MLU-w correlates with age but does not capture changes within words over time. Further testing on a larger corpus is needed to refine the guidelines for more accurate assessment of Georgian-speaking children.

According to faking models, personality variables and faking are related. Most prominently, people's tendency to try to make an appropriate impression (impression management; IM) and their tendency to adjust the impression they make (self-monitoring; SM) have been suggested to be associated with faking. Nevertheless, empirical findings connecting these personality variables to faking have been contradictory, partly because different studies have given individuals different tests to fake and different faking directions (to fake low vs. high scores). Importantly, whereas past research has focused on faking by examining test scores, recent advances have suggested that the faking process could be better understood by analyzing individuals' responses at the item level (response pattern). Using machine learning (elastic net and random forest regression), we reanalyzed a data set (N = 260) to investigate whether individuals' faked response patterns on extraversion (features; i.e., input variables) could reveal their IM and SM scores. We found that individuals had similar response patterns when they faked, irrespective of their IM scores (excluding the faking of high scores when random forest regression was used). Elastic net and random forest regression converged in revealing that individuals higher on SM differed from individuals lower on SM in how they faked. Thus, response patterns were able to reveal individuals' SM, but not IM. Feature importance analyses showed that whereas some items were faked differently by individuals with higher versus lower SM scores, others were faked similarly. Our results imply that analyses of response patterns offer valuable new insights into the faking process.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of including a commercial avocado peel meal (Avomel) by-product as a feed source supplemented with Lippia berlandieri Schauer oregano essential oil (OEO) in cattle diets. Eighteen 22-month-old male Charolais x Angus crossbred cattle (334.96 ± 27.48 kg) were randomly distributed in three experimental groups (n = 6): Control, cattle fed with the control diet without Avomel and without OEO; Avomel, cattle fed 10% of Avomel in the diet; and Avomel + OEO, cattle fed 10% Avomel and 600 mg/kg of OEO in the diet. The evaluated variables were bulls’ weight (BW), feed intake (FI), slaughter variables, carcass quality and the pH, water holding capacity (WHC), color and chemical composition of raw rib eye meat, as well as cooking loss (CL), shear force (SF), texture analysis and sensory evaluation of cooked meat. After 120 days of feeding, BW was highest (P < 0.10) for Avomel and lowest (P < 0.10) for Avomel + OEO. The Avomel + OEO group FI was low. Cattle slaughter variables, carcass quality variables, pH, and WHC did not show differences (P > 0.05). Lightness was highest (P < 0.05) for Avomel meat. Meat chemical composition was not affected (P > 0.05). SF of meat was different (P < 0.05) being highest for Avomel + OEO. On meat texture, springiness was different (P < 0.05), i.e., meat treated with Avomel was highest, but no differences (P > 0.05) were detected for hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience. Odor, taste, softness, juiciness, and overall acceptability of cooked meat were not different (P > 0.05), data not shown. The commercial by-product avocado peel meal supplemented with OEO could be used in cattle diets without adversely affecting productive performance, carcass traits, and meat quality.

Abstract Introduction Protracted febrile myalgia syndrome (PFMS) is a rare manifestation of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), characterized by myalgia, fever and elevated inflammatory markers lasting several weeks. As the hallmark of FMF are short episodes of disease symptoms, the long duration of PFMS may lead to a delayed diagnosis and treatment. Objectives 1. To perform a review of literature and rheumatology textbooks focused on clinical features and treatment of PFMS in children. 2. To present our own case. Methods All articles in Pub Med generated using the keywords “protracted febrile myalgia” and information on PFMS in seven rheumatology textbooks were collected. The systematic review was supplemented with our own case presentation. Results In total, 18 articles with 78 pediatric patients (including our own) were retrieved. More than half of the patients presented with PFMS as the first manifestation of FMF. All complained of myalgia, 65% of abdominal pain and 26% had a rash. Corticosteroids (CS) were effective in 77%. In all CS-refractory cases, anakinra was shown efficient. MRI was used in 5 patients and showed myositis in all of them. The scrutiny of seven rheumatology textbooks showed that PFMS presenting with myalgia was mentioned in six. Possible accompanying symptoms were described only once, the long duration of symptoms twice, the efficacy of corticosteroids three times and anakinra only once. The presented 6 year old patient manifested with fever, myalgia, abdominal pain and petechial rash lasting 6 weeks. She had undergone multiple diagnostic procedures before her parents mentioned a positive family history for FMF. The subsequent genetic testing confirmed a homozygosity for M694V pathogenic variant in the MEFV gene. Conclusion The long duration of PFMS may be misleading to clinicians especially if PFMS occurs at manifestation of FMF. The fact that more than half of the reported patients experienced PFMS as the presenting symptom of FMF is one of the key findings of our study. Our case presentation demonstrates the importance of genetic testing early in suspected autoinflammatory diseases. Furthermore, MRI may be an important diagnostic tool showing myositis in PFMS.

Microsporum canis is a dermatophyte that mainly affects dogs and cats. However, it can be transmitted to humans by direct contact. This makes it one of the most frequent causative agents of dermatophytosis in humans, reflecting the frequent human close relationships with pets. Conventional treatment relies on antifungal pharmacological agents. However, errors in application have led to the occurrence of fungal resistance and toxic effects. Consequently, new therapeutic alternatives are needed for M. canis infections. Plant extracts have been explored as phytotherapeutics for the treatment of dermatophyte infections, which prompted an attempt to apply extracts of the ethnopharmacologically important plants Artemisia ludoviciana and Cordia boissieri.

Abstract Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) refers to a heterogeneous group of rheumatic conditions in children. Novel drugs have greatly improved disease outcomes; however, outcomes are impacted by limited awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and adequate treatment, and by differences in access across health systems. As a result, patients with JIA continue to be at risk for short- and long-term morbidity, as well as impacts on virtually all aspects of life of the child and family. Main body Literature on the socioeconomic burden of JIA is largely focused on healthcare costs, and the impact of JIA on patients, families, and communities is not well understood. High quality evidence on the impact of JIA is needed to ensure that patients are receiving necessary support, timely diagnostics, and adequate treatment, and to inform decision making and resource allocation. This commentary introduces the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases: Producing an Arthritis Value Framework with Economic Evidence: Paving the Way for Rare Childhood Diseases (PAVE) project, which will co-develop a patient-informed value framework to measure the impact of JIA on individuals and on society. With a patient-centered approach, fundamental to PAVE is the involvement of three patient advocacy organizations from Canada, Israel, and Europe, as active research partners co-designing all project phases and ensuring robust patient and family engagement. The framework will build on the findings of projects from six countries: Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Israel, and Belgium, exploring costs, outcomes (health, well-being), and unmet needs (uveitis, mental health, equity). Conclusion This unique international collaboration will combine evidence on costs (from family to societal), outcomes (clinical, patient and family outcomes), and unmet needs, to co-design and build a framework with patients and families to capture the full impact of JIA. The framework will support the development of high-quality evidence, encompassing economic and clinical considerations, unmet needs, and patient perspectives, to inform equitable resource allocation, health system planning, and quality of care better aligned with the needs of children with JIA, their families, and communities. Knowledge gained from this novel approach may pave the way forward to be applied more broadly to other rare childhood diseases.

Abstract High-gain antennas are essential hardware devices, powering numerous daily applications, including distant point-to-point communications, safety radars, and many others. While a common approach to elevate gain is to enlarge an antenna aperture, highly resonant subwavelength structures can potentially grant high gain performances. The Chu-Harrington limit is a standard criterion to assess electrically small structures and those surpassing it are called superdirective. Supergain is obtained in a case when internal losses are mitigated, and an antenna is matched to radiation, though typically in a very narrow frequency band. Here we develop a concept of a spectrally overlapping resonant cascading, where tailored multipole hierarchy grants both high gain and sufficient operational bandwidth. Our architecture is based on a near-field coupled wire bundle. Genetic optimization, constraining both gain and bandwidth, is applied on a 24-dimensional space and predicts 8.81 dBi realized gain within a half-wavelength in a cube volume. The experimental gain is 8.22 dBi with 13% fractional bandwidth. The developed approach can be applied across other frequency bands, where miniaturization of wireless devices is highly demanded.

Mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), a rare auto-inflammatory disorder, arises from mutations in the MVK gene, disrupting isoprenoid biosynthesis, and affecting cellular processes. This comprehensive review provides an updated perspective on MKD, including its aetiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic modalities, and therapeutic strategies. Based on recent research and clinical advances, our objective is to bridge the knowledge gaps in the 2015 SHARE guidelines. By describing molecular mechanisms, diagnostic dilemmas, and emerging therapies, this article should serve as a resource for clinicians and researchers, promoting a deeper understanding of MKD and guiding optimal patient care.

The Cannabis plant contains many groups of bioactive metabolites with potential pharmacological properties. These properties have mainly been attributed to cannabinoids and terpenoids, with other groups receiving little attention. The usefulness of the abundant group of chlorophyll derivatives (CDs) was illustrated in various applications, but little is known regarding their presence and significance in Cannabis. We hypothesized that the heating accompanying the process extract preparation would result in a pool of CDs that have lost the central magnesium (Mg) ion. Herein, we introduce a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach for separating, identifying, and quantifying Mg-free CDs in Cannabis extracts after decarboxylation. We assessed 14 Cannabis cultivars representing the four types of chemovars and identified 69 distinct Mg-free CDs. These were separated into five families: Pheophorbide a, Pheophorbide b, Pheophytin a, Pheophytin b, and Purpurin 18. The structure of the Mg-free CDs was determined through their MS/MS fragmentation spectra as phytylated derivatives compared to dephytylated ones, and then further to pyroderivatives, alkylated and oxidized CDs. Substantial variation was found between the four different chemovar types and within different cultivars of the same chemovar, with the family of Pheophytin a, the most prevalent in all extracts. Type III chemovar high-cannabidiol plants contained significantly higher amounts of Mg-free CDs. These differences in abundance may result in variations in the therapeutic effects of plants that are considered similar according to their cannabinoid profiles.

A política de encarceramento em massa é uma realidade que vem sendo cada vez mais reiterada. Em se tratando do encarceramento feminino especificamente, o Brasil ocupa o terceiro lugar no ranking mundial. Neste trabalho discutimos, a partir de uma pesquisa cartográfica, como o sistema punitivo de privação e restrição de liberdade incide sobre as mulheres que são sujeitas ao aprisionamento, bem como afetam suas redes de apoio familiares. A partir do que emergiu de um trabalho realizado em uma unidade prisional feminina no Rio de Janeiro, em rodas de conversa com mulheres presas, tecemos considerações acerca do que elas trouxeram a respeito dos afetos construídos e reconstruídos dentro e fora da prisão, em geral no formato de vínculos familiares. Nesse sentido, a partir das narrativas dessas mulheres, buscamos dar visibilidade às conformações e manutenções das relações afetivas como meio essencial de preservação de suas vidas. Permeadas por angústias, violações e faltas latentes da privação ou restrição de liberdade essas relações intra e extramuros são apontadas como estratégias de sobrevivência e como linhas de fuga, como possibilidade de criarem fissuras na rígida instituição prisional e estarem na prisão de outras formas.

We present a generic quantitative chemical sensing methodology for assessing the concentration of a target material (TM) in an aqueous solution by using bioluminescent microbial bioreporters as the core sensing elements. Such bioreporters, genetically engineered to respond to the presence of a TM in their microenvironment by emitting bioluminescence, have previously been mostly designed to report the presence or absence of the TM in the sample. We extend this methodology to also assess the TM concentration, by exploiting the dose-dependency of the TM-induced luminescence. To overcome luminescence intensity variations due to bacterial batch differences and the ambient temperature, simultaneous measurements were carried out on sample solutions containing known concentrations of the TM. A “standard ratio” parameter, defined as the ratio between the two measurements, is shown to be independent of the bacterial batch and the temperature, and hence provides the conceptual basis for a generic quantitative chemical sensing methodology. Assessment of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) concentration in solutions is demonstrated with an accuracy of 2.5% over a wide dynamic range.

This study's goal was to inform the selection of the most frequently used words to serve as a reference for core vocabulary selection for Hebrew-speaking children who require AAC. The paper describes the vocabulary used by 12 Hebrew-speaking preschool children with typical development in two different conditions: peer talk, and peer talk with adult mediation. Language samples were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the CHILDES (Child Language Data Exchange System) tools to identify the most frequently used words. The top 200 lexemes (all variations of a single word) in the peer talk and adult-mediated peer talk conditions accounted for 87.15% (n = 5008 tokens) and 86.4% (n = 5331 tokens) of the total tokens produced in each language sample (n = 5746, n = 6168), respectively. A substantially overlapping vocabulary of 337 lexemes accounted for up to 87% (n = 10411) of the tokens produced in the composite list (n = 11914). The results indicate that a relatively small set of words represent a large proportion of the words used by the preschoolers across two different conditions. General versus language-specific implications for core vocabulary selection for children in need of AAC devices are discussed.

Anatomy is the branch discipline focused on studying organisms' physical structures and parts. Although technological advances are broadening the anatomy study, the practices of prosection and dissection of human cadavers and animals remain a primary teaching method. Despite the large body of research supporting its benefits, in some countries, cadaveric prosection and dissection of vertebrate animals in secondary education have been banned. In the current study, to prevent a lack of access to anatomical sciences education, the use of plastinated biological specimens was proposed for teaching practical biology in middle and high schools. The study was conducted in the 2014 academic year. Eighty-seven middle school students participated in the experiment. Groups consisted of: (i) theoretical classes only; (ii) theoretical class plus prosection with fresh specimens class; (iii) theoretical class plus expository with plastinated specimens classes. A post-test grade method was used to assess the impact of such tasks on the learning experience of each group. An ANOVA test and multiple regression model were used to analyze the effects of the variables of interest. Our study highlighted that students who underwent the plastination practical class had higher overall performance and a higher mean post-test grade than those in the pure theoretical group. A favorable effect of a positive self-knowledge assessment on the students' performance was found, supporting the self-efficacy model of human behavior. Thus, the current study provides further evidence to support the use of plastinated specimens as an effective teaching method in countries where dissection is not feasible.

Diante da arena misógina de retrocessos e desmontes nas políticas afinadas com a educação e direitos humanos nos governos ultraliberais brasileiros de 2016 a 2022, o artigo busca analisar ações, discursos e normativas governamentais sobre o aborto que se materializaram a partir de práticas em diversas esferas dos serviços públicos, repercutindo efeitos diretos à vida de meninas, mulheres e pessoas capazes de gestar. Na esperança nutrida pela saída do governo fascista nas eleições para presidente 2023, este texto tem como objetivo trazer a discussão acerca do aborto como pauta imprescindível para retomada democrática do Brasil. Para tanto, nos servimos da genealogia do poder pastoral de Michel Foucault, de estudos críticos acerca de movimentos neoconservadores e marcos legislativos referentes aos direitos reprodutivos. Palavras-chave: Aborto; Direitos reprodutivos; Poder pastoral; Neoconservadorismo; Políticas públicas.

We hypothesized that via extracellular vesicles (EVs), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells turn endothelial cells into CLL-supportive cells. To test this, we treated vein-derived (HUVECs) and artery-derived (HAOECs) endothelial cells with EVs isolated from the peripheral blood of 45 treatment-naïve patients. Endothelial cells took up CLL-EVs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. To test whether CLL-EVs turn endothelial cells into IL-6-producing cells, we exposed them to CLL-EVs and found a 50% increase in IL-6 levels. Subsequently, we filtered out the endothelial cells and added CLL cells to this IL-6-enriched medium. After 15 min, STAT3 became phosphorylated, and there was a 40% decrease in apoptosis rate, indicating that IL-6 activated the STAT3-dependent anti-apoptotic pathway. Phospho-proteomics analysis of CLL-EV-exposed endothelial cells revealed 23 phospho-proteins that were upregulated, and network analysis unraveled the central role of phospho-β-catenin. We transfected HUVECs with a β-catenin-containing plasmid and found by ELISA a 30% increase in the levels of IL-6 in the culture medium. By chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we observed an increased binding of three transcription factors to the IL-6 promoter. Importantly, patients with CLL possess significantly higher levels of peripheral blood IL-6 compared to normal individuals, suggesting that the inducers of endothelial IL-6 are the neoplastic EVs derived from the CLL cells versus those of healthy people. Taken together, we found that CLL cells communicate with endothelial cells through EVs that they release. Once they are taken up by endothelial cells, they turn them into IL-6-producing cells.

Oral malodor still constitutes a major challenge worldwide. A strong effort is invested in eliminating volatile sulfur compound-producing oral bacteria through organic natural products such as essential oils. Fusobacterium nucleatum is a known volatile sulfur compound-producing bacteria that inspires oral malodor. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of lavender essential oil on the bacterium’s ability to produce volatile sulfide compounds, the principal components of oral malodor. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC-MS. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of lavender essential oil on Fusobacterium nucleatum was determined in a previous trial. Fusobacterium nucleatum was incubated anaerobically in the presence of sub-MIC, MIC, and above MIC concentrations of lavender essential oil, as well as saline and chlorhexidine as negative and positive controls, respectively. Following incubation, volatile sulfur compound levels were measured using GC (Oralchroma), and bacterial cell membrane damage was studied using fluorescence microscopy. Chemical analysis of lavender essential oil yielded five main components, with camphor being the most abundant, accounting for nearly one-third of the total lavender essential oil volume. The MIC (4 µL/mL) of lavender essential oil reduced volatile sulfur compound secretion at a statistically significant level compared to the control (saline). Furthermore, the level of volatile sulfur compound production attributed to 1 MIC of lavender essential oil was in the range of the positive control chlorhexidine with no significant difference. When examining bacterial membrane damage, 2 MIC of lavender essential oil (i.e., 8 µL/mL) demonstrated the same, showing antibacterial membrane damage values comparative to chlorhexidine. Since lavender essential oil was found to be highly effective in hindering volatile sulfur compound production by Fusobacterium nucleatum through the induction of bacterial cell membrane damage, the results suggest that lavender essential oil may be a suitable alternative to conventional chemical-based anti-malodor agents.